29 Things I’ve Learned about Being 29

29 Things I’ve Learned about Being 29

This past December I turned 29… Please don’t tell anyone. It will be our secret! But the truth is there’s no point in denying this so-called aging thing. It’s going to happen and there isn’t much we can do about it.

So let’s just say my next birthday after this one is a BIG one that will have a big fat zero next to the first number. There. I kind of said it, right? I will be 30…

With age comes wisdom. Or so they say. To help me get over the fear of turning another year older I have put together a list of 29 things I have learned from 29 years of life. This will make me feel better about it. Either way, it’s a great read, at least I think so. Hopefully, you will as well.

1. I’m learning not regret things I did when I was younger, but I sure do regret things I didn’t do.

2. I can learn a lot about life from my own children. And to think I am supposed to be their teacher…

3. Worrying is a waste of time. It never changes the outcome, anyway — and most of the things I worry about have a different outcome than I thought.

4. I am starting to care about things differently. Seeing them from a new angle.

5. I stopped caring what people think. This was HUGE for me! But, wow! What a weight was lifted.

6.  If I want to sing in the car, I’m gonna do it and do it loud. And probably even move my body a little. Or a lot. I don’t even care who might be looking through my window. They’re strangers, after all. Now I just flash them a giant smile and continue on my way.

7. Best friends are one of life’s necessities! Right up there with green tea and pizza.

8. I will wear whatever I want to. Because I can!

9. I should always trust my gut feeling. It’s usually right.

10. If I tell myself I can do something, I can usually do it. I am always up for a good challenge anyway.

11. I STILL hate to match socks. It takes up so much time, and time is precious. Why waste it on socks?

12. I am finally learning to love myself and find out who I truly am. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s starting to happen. And most importantly, I have to be the kind of person that I can love. I read this quote and it smacked me like a ton of bricks “The only person who you can absolutely depend on to stay in your life forever is yourself.” Pretty powerful stuff.

13. I still feel 19. Until I am around a 19-year-old and I see how stupid most of them are, then I’m all like, yep I really am almost 30. Thank you for the reminder.

14. I am always learning and growing. And hope to never stop.

15. It’s ok to say NO. This is something I have never been good at, but I am getting better.

16. Never say never. It just might happen.

17. You can get over sadness even if you think you never will. While it never disappears, it dissipates with time.

18. No matter how many selfies I attempt to take, I will never be able to perfect the infamous “duck lips”. So until then, I will keep rocking my smile.

19. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I don’t always have to agree with it, nor do I have to pretend I do. But their opinion belongs to them and it’s not up to me to judge.

20. Giving advice is always much easier than taking it. Maybe that’s where the phrase “it’s better to give than receive” actually comes from…

21. Unfortunately, there’s no expiration date on insecurity. We all have it in some shape or form, and all we can do is continue to work on it.

22. I can’t gain confidence without knowing fear first.

23. I can plan all I want, but most of the time life doesn’t care about my plans. So winging it is usually best.

24. Life is both too long and too short to be unhappy. Don’t feel obligated to stick with a major, a job, a person, a hair color, or anything else in your life that ceases to be perfect for you. People change and grow. It happens.

25. Sometimes terrible mistakes can actually lead to something amazing.

26. I’m impressed I graduated without Google. Kids these days are screwed.

27. It’s ok to spoil myself. Who else knows me better?

28. Ultimately I am responsible for my own happiness.

29. I am truly privileged and blessed to be growing old. There are so many that never get that chance.

When I used to think about what turning 30 would be like, I naively envisioned myself as this super confident, frizz-free, grown-up woman who wore beautiful power suits every day with bright red pumps and my entire life would be figured out. However,  I have to admit I’m not exactly who or where I thought I would be — and that’s okay with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really proud of where I am in the best of ways and trust me when I say I have come really far. But what fun would life be if I already have everything figured out?  I’ve learned how weird, crazy, unpredictable, and absolutely joyous life can be and that’s my favorite part.